Zambrano's global deal-making continues. In 2005 Cemex spent $5.8 billion to acquire RMC Group, a British cement firm. Zambrano also has a sizeable holding in Axtel, a fixed-line telecommunications company. Cemex was founded by Zambrano's grandfather in 1906, but Zambrano worked at the company for 17 years before becoming chief executive. He presides over his cement empire from a modest office in the company's Monterrey headquarters.